Buying my first car; what do?
- Thread starter cHk4
- Start date
It's his first car, putting yourself in debt with your first car that will get pranged and dented is a pretty bad idea unless you are made of money.
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I bought my first car a few months ago from a private seller. He was a retired ex copper so wouldn't let me drive it home. He only lived 5 mins away so drove it round to mine and I insured it the next day.
Couldn't get it started when I got it insured for a whole day, thought it was a dead battery since turning the key wasn't doing anything. Got a friend to come round and battery to battery charge... turns out it was the steering wheel lock that I didn't disengage...
Oh well first cars and everything
Couldn't get it started when I got it insured for a whole day, thought it was a dead battery since turning the key wasn't doing anything. Got a friend to come round and battery to battery charge... turns out it was the steering wheel lock that I didn't disengage...
Oh well first cars and everything
Last edited:
What new cars do you suggest for £2,500?
First of all have you thought about a private sale? Or an auction?
Your trader car came from the auction, they leave it an their lot, add about £1,500 and sell it to you with a bit of a shady warranty. Why line their pockets.
Due diligence old boy, take your time and don't be impatient. Once you find a car you like you can line up your insurance so it is a phone call away. Your tax is online, easy.
AT have a superb bit of info here: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/advice/2014/02/buying/buying-a-used-car
Once you have handed over your wedge all the cars problems belong to you - try to spot them and knock off the cash to sort them out.
Have a look underneath - rusty exhaust?
Things hanging down
Ideally see the car started from cold
Move it forward - any oil patch?
Any tyres need replacing - the can be £80 each
Any alloys need refurbing - £80 each
Hard to check the suspension but bounce it and listen during the test drive
Look at all the paintwork - any dings - rust - poorly fitting panels - has it been bumped/repaired - best place to look is under the bonnet and at the spare wheel well
Spare ok?
Headlights fogged?
Windscreen glass ok - any cracks
Feel the carpets - any damp in the foot wells?
Check ever single electric thing works - windows, mirrors, s/roof, make sure the AC blows frosty air (£80 to have it recharged and much more if it is broken)
Are the two working keys - see them work - if there is one knock off the cost of a new key (this can be £200 to £250!)
Side and centre mirrors ok?
Radio working, take a cd with you
Engine - have a look under the oil cap - look clean?
Oil look ok?
Is the engine bay full of leaves and uncared for?
Test drive, I often let them drive if it is a private sale - go on a good 20-minute journey - see it warm up to temperature correctly - listen - should be smooth - gear changes smooth.
Look through the service history - verify the mileage with the MOT's
Has it been serviced each year?
When is the next service?
When was the cam belt/water pump changed? (costs about £350 and every 3 years with VW)
I like petrol, I have a 3 door 1.4 2002 Mark 4, bodywork is amazing on them lasts forever - plus some enthusiast will always buy these off you.
Try to buy one off an older mature person, preferably a little old lady. Let us know how you get on - exciting!
What Car? I like German cars, focus is good don't know anything about them, I personally like 3 dr VW golf petrols
Your trader car came from the auction, they leave it an their lot, add about £1,500 and sell it to you with a bit of a shady warranty. Why line their pockets.
Due diligence old boy, take your time and don't be impatient. Once you find a car you like you can line up your insurance so it is a phone call away. Your tax is online, easy.
AT have a superb bit of info here: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/advice/2014/02/buying/buying-a-used-car
Once you have handed over your wedge all the cars problems belong to you - try to spot them and knock off the cash to sort them out.
Have a look underneath - rusty exhaust?
Things hanging down
Ideally see the car started from cold
Move it forward - any oil patch?
Any tyres need replacing - the can be £80 each
Any alloys need refurbing - £80 each
Hard to check the suspension but bounce it and listen during the test drive
Look at all the paintwork - any dings - rust - poorly fitting panels - has it been bumped/repaired - best place to look is under the bonnet and at the spare wheel well
Spare ok?
Headlights fogged?
Windscreen glass ok - any cracks
Feel the carpets - any damp in the foot wells?
Check ever single electric thing works - windows, mirrors, s/roof, make sure the AC blows frosty air (£80 to have it recharged and much more if it is broken)
Are the two working keys - see them work - if there is one knock off the cost of a new key (this can be £200 to £250!)
Side and centre mirrors ok?
Radio working, take a cd with you
Engine - have a look under the oil cap - look clean?
Oil look ok?
Is the engine bay full of leaves and uncared for?
Test drive, I often let them drive if it is a private sale - go on a good 20-minute journey - see it warm up to temperature correctly - listen - should be smooth - gear changes smooth.
Look through the service history - verify the mileage with the MOT's
Has it been serviced each year?
When is the next service?
When was the cam belt/water pump changed? (costs about £350 and every 3 years with VW)
I like petrol, I have a 3 door 1.4 2002 Mark 4, bodywork is amazing on them lasts forever - plus some enthusiast will always buy these off you.
Try to buy one off an older mature person, preferably a little old lady. Let us know how you get on - exciting!
What Car? I like German cars, focus is good don't know anything about them, I personally like 3 dr VW golf petrols
^ Sorry I know your trying to help, but some of that is terrible advice, a new driver who knows little about cars going straight to auction to buy first car is a disaster in the making.
I don't think every new driver goes out with the intention of smacking everything that comes in the way, it's just a case of inexperience so they have poor judgement and car control.
I don't think every new driver goes out with the intention of smacking everything that comes in the way, it's just a case of inexperience so they have poor judgement and car control.
Why thank you Clarice.
Have you considered that I have no idea what cHk4's knowledge of cars actually is - he may be a Pro, he may be a duffer.
However even the meanest intelligence could envisage anyone who did not know that much about motors asking their 'Pro mechanic mate' to go with them.
Whether it is a trade, auction or private buy is irrelevant. If you re-read my post I plumb for private sale.
I rest my case.
Then perhaps you should mention auctions aren't for novices or that he should take someone along, its his first car so you can take a good guess that he won't have much experience with cars, not forgetting the fact that buying a car from auction is going to be a bit more daunting being unprepared on anything like insurance, tax etc. Besides the point buying from auction as private buyer is pointless these days as they bung you up all the fees and you end up spending a lot of money.
Even seasoned pros end up buying lemons from auctions, its not so easy sussing a car out in 30 seconds.
How much do you want me to write? I Have work on Tuesday. At this rate you will have me getting him up, making his breakfast and laying out his clothes.
In your case mate it is the nut behind the wheel that I would be concerned about. Try to relax, deep breath. He will be fine
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How can you have no idea? The information you need is in his OP.
He is buying his first ever car, having never bought a car before.
This in itself is enough to tell you he isn't a pro mechanic expert car buyer but if you needed more clues he goes on to ask questions about if he needs tax, etc etc.
It's very clear he's new to cars and is asking for advice and guidance. Of which 'go to a car auction' probably isn't the best, especially at this end of the market where the cheap stuff is 90% junk they couldn't punt on to any of their trade contacts.
